You’ve just arrived in one of the busiest cities in the world and you cannot help but feel exhilarated. You’re tired from a little jet lag but so what? You’re in Hong Kong and there’s only 24 hours before you hop back onto the plane. This 24-hour itinerary will guide you through your brief stay to make sure you take in as much as this metropolis has to offer.

Morning

Take A Stroll At The Morning Trail

Photo by Ashley Yue

Escape the crowd and spend a tranquil morning at the Peak. The Morning Trail offers a much more serene experience compared to the touristy viewing spot at The Victoria Peak and be ready to have your breath taken away while watching the spectacular skyline. You can take a taxi to Hatton Road and walk up the hill from there until it turns into the trail.

Join A Local Tour

Photo by Ashley Yue

Since you’re on a limited schedule, taking a walking tour is a great idea for you to experience the city more in-depth. You’ll see the city through the eyes of a local and learn more about the history and stories behind Hong Kong within the span of a few hours. If you’re a food enthusiast like us, we offer private and group food tours at Hong Kong Food Crawlers that combines history and local food together. All the spots we take our guests to are places that we’ve been going since childhood and we only take the path less travelled!

Enjoy A Ferry Ride

Photo from Hong Kong Tourism Board

A trip to Hong Kong isn’t complete without a ferry ride across the Harbour. Hop on the Star ferry and go to Kowloon from Hong Kong Island for HK$2, which is probably one of the cheapest rides you can take in the world. There’s nothing quite like watching the Hong Kong skyline with an abundance of skyscrapers while being in the sea. Let the breeze gently brush your face and enjoy the view!

Afternoon Tea At A Local Cafe

Photo by Ashley Yue

Grab a small bite at a cha chaan teng (a local’s term for Cantonese diner), which is known for comfort food such as egg tarts, pineapple buns and a cup of hot Hong Kong milk tea. You can’t go wrong with the traditional pastries at Kam Fung Cafe in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island and Kam Wah Cafe in Mong Kok, Kowloon. If you find yourself at Kam Fung, make sure you order their killer chicken pie there.

While the Ladies Market is known for being the best spot to bargain at and its wide range of souvenirs, accessories and clothes, the Goldfish Market nearby is also a popular destination for photographers. Stroll through Tung Choi Street and get mesmerized by the colorful display of fish and turtles there. The Flower Market on Flower Market Road and Bird Market on Yuen Po Street are also close by, in case you want to find more subjects to snap away.

Once you’re on the Kowloon side, go to Tim Ho Wan or One Dim Sum for an affordable Michelin-star meal. Dim sum is a ritual among locals and the small bites are shared among the group, along with Chinese tea on the side. While the wait at Tim Ho Wan and One Dim Sum can be a little intimidating, the food is definitely worth the wait. You’ll get to experience what it’s like to dine like a true local (hint: do not expect good service), where restaurants are known for their efficiency and food is brought to you in a lightning speed.

Evening

Savour Street Food

Photo by Ashley Yue

The city is known for its abundance of street food and you can find little stalls selling savoury treats all around the city. Head to Dundas Street in Mong Kok and you’ll find a hub of street food vendors selling goods such as the infamous fish balls, deep fried Three Treasures (an assortment of eggplants, green peppers, red sausages and tofu stuffed with fish paste), bubble tea and stinky tofu. You can get pretty full from hopping between stalls so if you’re planning to grab dinner somewhere else later in the evening, make sure you get only one or two nibbles.

Skip the highest bar in the world (unless you want to pay for overpriced cocktails and squeeze in for a seat with a bunch of tourists) and head to Cafe Grey Deluxe at The Upper House Hotel for a few cocktails in early evening. Situated on the 49th floor, Cafe Grey Deluxe never fails to dazzle its guests with a breathtaking view of the Victoria Harbour. The ceiling to floor window inside the washroom also always makes us in awe when we look down on skyscrapers in town and how close we are to these beautiful buildings.

Get Noms At A Dai Pai Dong

Photo by Carlo Acenas

Dai Pai Dong is one of the staples in Hong Kong culinary culture and it’s an experience on its own to dine in a casual and communal setting. Head to Tung Po Kitchen and feast on classic Cantonese dishes and fresh seafood. We can never get enough of their stir fry razor clams with black beans and deep fried drunken prawns. If you’re on the Kowloon side, our favourite is Oi Man Sang, a Dai Pai Dong that’s been running since the 1950s. You can also watch the chefs working up their woks in flames in their kitchen on the street.